DoD's $18.7M helicopter maintenance contract awarded to M1 Support Services shows fair value with 8 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,673,553 ($18.7M)

Contractor: M1 Support Services, L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-05-23

End Date: 2020-03-28

Contract Duration: 1,040 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF HELICOPTER MAINTENANCE AT FT. POLK, LA.

Place of Performance

Location: DENTON, DENTON County, TEXAS, 76201

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.7 million to M1 SUPPORT SERVICES, L.P. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF HELICOPTER MAINTENANCE AT FT. POLK, LA. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of helicopter maintenance services. 2. Strong competition with 8 bidders suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. No immediate red flags regarding contractor performance or risk indicators. 4. Contract duration of 1040 days (approx. 3 years) provides stability for services. 5. Services are essential for maintaining operational readiness of military aircraft. 6. Contract falls within the broader aircraft manufacturing and maintenance sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $18.7 million over roughly three years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar helicopter maintenance contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the presence of 8 bidders in a full and open competition indicates that the pricing likely reflects market rates. The firm-fixed-price structure also provides cost certainty for the government, contributing to a good value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with 8 bids received. This level of competition is generally considered robust and suggests that multiple capable vendors were interested in providing the services. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a greater likelihood of selecting the best value offer for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition in this procurement is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received a fair market rate for essential helicopter maintenance services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Army units stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, ensuring their helicopters are operational. Services include essential maintenance and repair for rotary-wing aircraft, supporting military readiness. The geographic impact is localized to Fort Polk, Louisiana, where the maintenance activities will occur. The contract supports skilled labor in aviation maintenance, potentially impacting the local workforce around Fort Polk.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if maintenance needs exceed initial estimates.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical maintenance could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Robust competition suggests a capable and responsive market.
Contract duration allows for consistent service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on aircraft maintenance and support services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) is a proxy, but the actual service is maintenance. The market for military aircraft maintenance is substantial, driven by the need to maintain aging fleets and ensure operational readiness. Spending in this area is consistent across various branches of the military.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, M1 Support Services, L.P., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice. Further investigation into subcontracting goals would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are often internal.

Related Government Programs

DoD Aviation Maintenance Contracts
Army Aviation Support Programs
Fort Polk Operations and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for performance degradation over contract duration.
Risk of unforeseen maintenance requirements impacting budget.
Dependence on contractor's supply chain for parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.7 million to M1 SUPPORT SERVICES, L.P.. IGF::OT::IGF HELICOPTER MAINTENANCE AT FT. POLK, LA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is M1 SUPPORT SERVICES, L.P..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-05-23. End: 2020-03-28.

What is the track record of M1 Support Services, L.P. with similar government contracts?

M1 Support Services, L.P. has a history of performing various aviation support and maintenance services for the U.S. military. A review of federal procurement data reveals multiple contract awards to this company across different branches, including the Army and Air Force, for services such as aircraft maintenance, logistics support, and facility management. While specific performance ratings for individual contracts are not always publicly detailed, their continued awards suggest a generally satisfactory performance history. However, a deeper dive into past performance evaluations and any reported disputes or contract terminations would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability.

How does the awarded price compare to similar helicopter maintenance contracts?

Directly comparing the awarded price of $18.7 million for this specific contract to similar helicopter maintenance contracts is challenging without detailed service scope and duration. Helicopter maintenance can vary significantly based on aircraft type, age, required services (e.g., scheduled maintenance, unscheduled repairs, component overhauls), and location. However, the fact that this contract was awarded under full and open competition with 8 bidders suggests that the price achieved is likely competitive within the market. The firm-fixed-price structure also implies that the government secured a defined cost for the services, which is a positive indicator of value. Further analysis would require access to detailed service level agreements and market research data from the time of award.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this helicopter maintenance contract include potential performance issues if the contractor, M1 Support Services, L.P., fails to meet service level agreements, leading to aircraft downtime and impacting operational readiness. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen maintenance needs or parts availability, although this is mitigated by the FFP structure. Dependence on a single contractor for critical services presents a risk if the contractor faces financial instability or operational disruptions. Furthermore, the aging nature of some military aircraft could lead to unexpected repair complexities and costs. Ensuring adequate government oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigating these risks.

How effective is this contract in ensuring the operational readiness of the helicopters at Fort Polk?

The effectiveness of this contract in ensuring operational readiness hinges on the contractor's ability to perform timely and high-quality maintenance as specified. The contract's duration of approximately three years and its firm-fixed-price nature aim to provide consistent support and cost control, which are conducive to maintaining readiness. The robust competition at the time of award suggests a good likelihood of selecting a capable provider. However, true effectiveness is measured by metrics such as aircraft availability rates, mission capable rates, and turnaround times for maintenance tasks. Without access to these specific performance data points, it's difficult to definitively assess the contract's effectiveness beyond the structural elements that support it.

What are the historical spending patterns for helicopter maintenance at Fort Polk or similar installations?

Historical spending patterns for helicopter maintenance at Fort Polk or similar installations would likely show consistent, significant investment due to the critical nature of aviation assets. Military bases with substantial rotary-wing operations, like Fort Polk, typically require ongoing maintenance contracts to ensure fleet readiness. Spending can fluctuate based on the number and type of aircraft, their operational tempo, and the age of the fleet. Contracts for such services are often multi-year and can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scale of operations. Analyzing past contracts for similar services at Fort Polk or comparable Army aviation bases would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and competition levels, providing context for the current $18.7 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 N ELM ST STE 101, DENTON, TX, 76201

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,479,395

Exercised Options: $18,673,553

Current Obligation: $18,673,553

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA810817D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline